Disney on the road {Disney Social Media Moms}

A couple weeks ago, I got up at 4am, got dressed and hopped in the car for a 3 hour drive to Charlotte. I was invited to a mini-conference put on by Mom Select and Disney Parks, the same team behind the fabulous Disney Social Media Moms Conference that we attended in April. When I heard about this event, I knew I wanted to be there. Nobody does inspiration better than Disney, and these days I have been feeling a wee bit less than inspired.

It truly was a beautiful day. The drive was mostly before dawn and I was almost alone on the road. I love driving to clear my head and despite the early hour, I really enjoyed my time in the car. I even caught a glimpse of the morning light in my rear-view mirror. It was as if it were cheering me on and wishing me well on my journey.

Maria Bailey opened up the morning with a lovely breakfast and ample time to talk and network with other bloggers and women in business. This is honestly one of my favorite parts of attending events like these. I sat with the incomparable Amy Hodges (who will forever have my heart for skipping with me through Epcot) and chatted and giggled and just enjoyed the Disney magic.

We heard from several amazing women in business, but the highlight for me I think was hearing from Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller. After her stellar career as an athlete, Shannon went on to start her own company, get married, have a child and fight cancer. You know, just to name a few things. This woman has lived so many lives already and is barely in her 30s. She is living her life.

In fact, we heard story after story from each speaker of beating the odds and finding that passion in business that allowed them to love what they do. Bloggers are in a unique position in this. Most of us did not start blogging to make money. We started because we loved doing it. For some, that love has lead to a paycheck and for others, it remains a hobby. Some have found that the paycheck isn’t worth the change that needs to happen. Some are still figuring this whole thing out.

I am sort of in the middle of all that. I am so thankful for the opportunities that I have been given as a direct result of this blog, whether it be on this site or elsewhere. However, as the boys get older I am definitely fighting for my time with them. I am starting to understand the need for strict limits on my own screen time so that I am present with them. I am also acutely aware that I should sleep at some point. So there is a balance and I think it is within my reach.

not bad for 4:30am!

One thing is for sure though, nothing happens by accident. Every woman we heard from worked incredibly hard to achieve her success. I was inspired not just to action, but also to introspection. My dreams seem to be fluid right now and what I need this year might change next year. This is the beauty of blogging and why I continue to love this community.

Thank you again Maria and Disney for valuing the inspirational side of this business. I believe it’s what sets us apart.

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Andrea Updyke is a married mom of two boys living in Raleigh, NC. A self-proclaimed social media nerd, she published her first book, Klout for Dummies, in 2013.
Andrea's personal mission is to celebrate the big and the small in parenting young children. She also shares her many attempts at balancing working-from-home and motherhood along with the fun stuff like traveling to Walt Disney World, running half-marathons and drinking way too much coffee.